Summer of 5Ks

 

 

I did it. I participated in 3 5K races this summer! Crystal (my convincing friend) and I signed up for a race in June, July, and August.

 

Each race was a different experience, for which I am a better person. I can do hard things. I can do things I don't necessarily enjoy. I can set goals and accomplish them. I can see the beauty in the world around me. I can have fun, even at 6am.

 

People ask me if I am going to do more races...

Anniversaries

At the end of July, I celebrated my 3 year anniversary of being home from my mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bulgaria.

On August 13, I will celebrate my 3 year anniversary of being a Hall Advisor in Heritage Halls at Brigham Young University in Provo, UT.

Both of these anniversaries mean a great deal to me. It is much more than just the passage of time.

Because of my experiences in Bulgaria, I have been prepared for my work with Residence Life. Because of my work with Residence Life, I treasure my time in Bulgaria.

I spent 18 months serving the Lord, and the people of Bulgaria. Service became more of a part of the person I am trying to become. I think it was there before my mission, but my mission brought it out even more. I am grateful that I still get to serve people through my work.

When I describe my work to people, there are a few reactions:
*The wide-eyed look of surprise
*The faraway look they get as they think of their freshman year (possibly the mischief they got into that year)
*Sympathy

Let me tell you. I have loved the last 3 years. Some days are easier than others, but that is life. I get to make connections with new students, and be a part of their lives. I am able to shape their lives, and be a part of their freshman year. Granted, a lot of it is behind the scenes, but I am a part of it. I get to serve 200+ young ladies every day. It gets crazy at times, and my friends and family know that I 'disappear' in April and August, but that is the adventure in it all.

I love the service I am able to give, whether it is unlocking a door, answering random (RANDOM) questions, or giving a smile and wave to residents as they come and go. I really love the service as I develop one on one relationships with those residents who stop by my office and get to know me. I love when they ask for advice in many aspects of life. It is a blessing to be a go-to person in their lives. I look forward to this year, and smile at the possibilities!

Spin Class and Life

My friend, Crystal, is a very convincing person. She convinces me to try new things, including a weekly spin class. I haven't been able to go the last few weeks, but I love it, and when I can go, I go!

During class one week, it hit me. This class is so much like life and our individual paths of life. Let's have a look:

Instructor Drew: He knows what will work best for us, he knows what is going on, what to do. He teaches us the way to go, how to prevent injury, how to get the most out of the 45 minute class. He helps us to prevent injury and actually enjoy our time. He is much like the leaders in life. We can learn from those who have gone before, who know what they are doing, who have our best interests at heart. I try to follow the instructor.

Bike: The bike is personalized to our height, tension, leg length. We need to use the tools and skills given to us to the best of our ability. We need to make them fit to us, and not try to be like everyone else's bike. As we develop our own skills and talents, we will do better and get more out of life.

The Class: Each one of us had our own bike. We followed our leader to do the work out. We were able to go at our own pace, working at getting the different moves right. If there were parts that we were not able to do the first class, we could try to do it, without worrying about pressure from others. We were all trying for the same goal (a killer workout), but we all went about it in different ways. We were able to listen to our body and take what Drew was giving us, and do the most we could with that direction. It's just like with life. We are all trying to live life, and we have people directing us, and it is up to us to make the most of each day. Drew reminded us that it is our workout, and we get what out what we put in. In life, we get out what we put in. We will go at different speeds, or different intensities than others around us, but we are all going through life. We should not be exactly the same, but we can all succeed!

Awesome.

Lost and Found

Almost 2 years ago, I lost 3 very important people in my life. Don't you fret, no one passed away, but there was a deep sense of loss at that time.

I lost a friend from my mission. I lost my best friend, and I lost the guy I loved. It just so happened that the best friend and the guy I loved were the same person, so it was a double whammy with that one.

The past 2 years have been a roller coaster of emotions (as you can tell from my blog posts, especially at that time). I ranged from anger and rage, to frustration, confusion, disappointment, pain, feeling unworthy, unloved, unlovable, and just about anything on that end of the emotion spectrum. With time and healing, I eventually felt peace, comfort, some understanding, growth, loved in so many ways by so many people, and hope.

There was still a weight on my heart, because there were people that had been a big part of my life, who were now gone. There were memories that would not be made, laughter that would not be shared, fun that we wouldn't have. I have felt that loss for a long time.

This week I found 2 of those important people in my life! Through forgiveness and love, the weight has been lifted, my heart is fuller, and there is a greater peace in my life. I love them, and know that love is possible, even through misunderstandings and miscommunication.

I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ this finding was possible. I know that the third person I lost is gone forever in that relationship with that fella, but that just means my heart is open to finding my forever love. I am so grateful I found what once was lost to me!

Simple vs. Easy

I have been thinking a bit this week about the difference between simple and easy. There are things we should do in life, and they are simple to decide to do them and simple to do...but they are not necessarily EASY to do.

It is interesting to think about the things that we should to, that are simple to do, that are good habits to have, but actually doing them regularly isn't easy for us to do. So, the question is, how do we succeed in making the simple things the easy things?

Beauty Challenge Recap

I mentioned this Beauty Challenge in my last post, but I wanted to talk a bit more about it. I am so grateful for the the opportunity I had to look at TRUE beauty during the 10-day challenge. It was based on this challenge, but tweaked a bit by one of my RAs to fit the needs of her floor. I loved it because I got to focus on different types of beauty. I don't mean that I avoided these types of beauty, but in the context, I gained a new perspective on myself. Not only did I see different talents and gifts in a new way, but also things I like about myself as a whole.

Have you ever written a thank you letter to your body? I challenge you to do so, and realize how much  you are able to do, and how blessed you truly are. You will see the parts and the whole in a new light, a brighter and clearer light!

Beauty Challenge Accepted!

As part of a 10 Day Beauty Challenge that one of my RAs invited me to participate in with her floor, we have to post somewhere the phrase, "I am beautiful because...". I wanted my reason to have reason and really make sense for me, as I hope anyone who takes up this challenge would do as well. So, as simple as it is, and maybe redundant to those who see my status updates on Facebook:

I am beautiful because I find happiness in every day life.

I feel that as I find that happiness, my happiness shines through, and my whole person is more beautiful and inviting to those around me.